Weekend Weeding

Fantastic weather this past weekend so spent many hours out in the garden weeding and clearing up borders.

The rockery has taken a few years to get established but the Alpines are now finally clamering over the rocks.

The Viola is by my front door ~ hard to miss.

Dirty Birdie

We have a Love Bird, just the one ~ l call him Randy. Randy and l don’t get on ~ he swears obscenities at me constantly and l can’t stand to watch his shenanigans with the hanging toy in his cage! Filthy. My husband loves the wee guy who repeats his whistles and they also seem to have developed their own play and language of sorts.

Randy arrived as a pair but unfortunately his Mrs. escaped through the food hatch of the cage and was mistaken as a flying ball by our puppy Cal ~ you can imagine the rest! I had to bring G. downstairs to a shower of coloured feathers and a border collie hiding under the sideboard ~ Cal knew what he had done.

At the time we were informed that Lovebirds mate for life and he might now pine away ~ that was 4 years ago ~ can’t be true! Randy obviously gets too much satisfaction from seeing me in discomfort ~ he screeches loudly and competes on vocal levels with everything (hoover, washing machine, radio etc.)

Arghh and he is far too familiar with that toy!

Temperament: Very active, curious, and playful, lovebirds pack a lot of personality into a small package. They are also feisty little birds. They are very social and form deep bonds with their owners and are sometimes very cuddly birds, but their intense personalities can also make them prone to nipping and territorial aggressiveness and jealousy.

Expected Life Span: Up to 15 years or more. HELP.

Coconuts and Power Drills

Another day in sunny springtime Scotland! Woke up early this morning but didn’t really get moving until afternoon ~ showers off and on. Eventually headed out to the garden centre and bought some plants for my mixed border: Viola’s (to cheer up empty spots), Aquilegia, Lavender, Rosemary and Doronicum Caucasicum. The latter being the wonderful yellow daisy-like flowers (bottom left photo). I have already got plenty of aquilegia grown from seed but mostly in containers ~ wonderful colours in summer but adored by slugs.

Took my wee lad to the beach on way home where he found two starfish and a crab. After a while he suddenly piped up, “ Mum, look for a coconut tree because l’m thirsty.” How funny was that? Anyway at supermarket in evening l had to buy him his own wee coconut. Back home his dad (with power drill) helped get the milk out. What is it with men and power tools ~ surely there is an easier way?

Loves, Life & Laundry

I am definitely a morning person ~ especially if the sun is shining. Blue sky this morning and l was up to face the day ~ looking forward to getting out in the garden!

Today however, l noticed that l roughly keep to the same routine ~ Delia Smith would be proud.

1. Once up l open all the windows, make the beds and then head down stairs with cups and laundry gathered ~ being careful to avoid any mirrors.

Handy hint: Use the left over water from cups (room temp) to water the plants on route to kitchen.

2. Put the kettle on, phone my sister, and sort the laundry at the same time. Having teenagers and a four year old, laundry is always part of my daily cycle ~ so is a cup of tea and a chat with my sis.

Note: The weather ~ today is sunny and blustery- wonderful for drying.

3. Clean each room to a set time allowed ~ l call it 'racing the clock'.

Tip: Put on music that keeps you moving ~ my wee Sam loves to get involved.

Almost time for Sam’s nursery and gardening.

“The laundry has its hands on my dirty shirts, sheets, towels and tablecloths, and who knows what tales they tell.”

Joseph Smith

Springtime Garden

These pictures were taken today. As you can see we have lovely weather for the Easter weekend.

How true it is that, if we are cheerful and contented, all nature smiles,

the air seems more balmy, the sky clearer, the earth has a brighter green,

the flowers are more fragrant and the sun, moon, and stars all appear

more beautiful, and seem to rejoice with us.

- Orison Swett Marden

CrAzY aBoUt My SiStEr

Because we know how to make each other laugh.

“Humour is the shortest distance between two people.” Victor Borge

Because we know how to savour life’s simple pleasures.

In the beginning there was chocolate....

Because she has a wonderful sense of family values.

Both remarried but these guys are better-lol

Because she is the picture of grace and poise.

Ha- when we’re not doing our 24/7 mum thing-lol

Anyway l’m crazy about my wee sister because there’s no other explanation for why l miss her so much when we’re not together.

Sir Harry Lauder

Sir Harry Lauder was an entertainer, a carouser in a feathered bonnet, lounging on a crooked stick and cleverly cultivating a comic turn about the life and loves of the Scottish. You can imagine my surprise when we discovered his signature on our home title deeds- yes indeed, Sir Harry Lauder once owned ‘oor wee hoose’! The view to the hills from the bedroom window is also where he wrote his song, ‘Roamin in the Gloamin’. Check out this link: Sir Harry Lauder

Just a matter of time.

I start getting worried about bird flu when l hear on the news about Britain only having enough vaccines for ‘those in essential services’, police, fire, doctors, essential transport… and lets not forget the royal family ~ aghghh ~ what about the rest of us?

Over 'The rest and be thankful'

What a day it has been. The hubby and l decided that we should go on a drive- headed out with the intention of going to some gardens but the rain was heavy so we kept driving and ended up in Dumbarton where we did a wee bit of shopping. On route we experienced every kind of weather: hail, snow, rain and sunshine~ only in Scotland!

My Bonny Boy

Mother’s Day was a real treat. My four year old son presented me with sunflower seeds in a pot ~ nicely wrapped in tissue paper. That gift meant more than a pot of gold to me and Sam was very proud of himself too. We often water the plants together and it is exciting for him to see them grow.

A son is a wonderful blessing,

A treasure from above.

He's laughter, warmth and special charm,

He's thoughtfulness and love.

The Endless Knot of Love

In memory of someone who was beautiful and will be sorely missed.
A dear Auntie.

Home

The West Highlands of Scotland.

To Live By

Slow down and enjoy life. It's not only the scenery you miss by going too fast - you also miss the sense of where you are going and why.
Eddie Cantor